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Student Reflection: All-School Mass
Dominican Preaching Team member Kiera Harris '27 provided the student reflection at the first all-school Mass of the 2026-2027 school year.
Good morning everyone! I’m so excited to welcome you all to the first school Mass of the year. My name is Kiera Harris, and I’m a member of the Class of 2027.
In today’s Gospel, Peter talks to Jesus about forgiveness. He specifically wants to know how many times he should forgive someone who hurts him. Peter suggests seven times, probably thinking he is being extremely generous. But Jesus responds, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. The Bible goes on to describe that forgiving others allows you to be forgiven by God. In other words, it is a fresh start physically with those on earth and spiritually.
The first day of school is also a fresh start. We have new classes, new teachers, and new opportunities. However, one thing we don’t automatically leave behind is the past. I distinctly remember about a week into my fourth grade year my mom came into my room as I was getting ready for bed to say goodnight. I was hunched down wearing my pajamas crying on the floor next to my bed. When she asked why I was so upset I told her it was because this school year just isn’t like the last. All she could do was laugh. “Kiera, you also said this last year." At that point I realized that I had completely forgotten because I had enjoyed myself so much.
Oftentimes, we become distressed with change and discomfort. We may think everything needs to go the way we planned, but where would the fun of life be in that? Forgive yourself for not having everything figured out, for feeling discomfort, for making mistakes. Lean on God in times of trial.
Maybe a friendship ended last year. Maybe someone hurt you or said something you still think about. Maybe you hurt someone yourself.
Jesus wasn’t telling Peter to keep a scoreboard of how many times he has forgiven. He is teaching us that forgiveness shouldn’t have a limit. And that is something we can all carry into this new school year. As we begin this year, let’s remember that God gives us second chances every day. So whatever happened last year, leave room for something new. Forgive someone. Forgive yourself. And walk into this school year carrying a little less than you did when you left the last one.
In today’s Gospel, Peter talks to Jesus about forgiveness. He specifically wants to know how many times he should forgive someone who hurts him. Peter suggests seven times, probably thinking he is being extremely generous. But Jesus responds, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. The Bible goes on to describe that forgiving others allows you to be forgiven by God. In other words, it is a fresh start physically with those on earth and spiritually.
The first day of school is also a fresh start. We have new classes, new teachers, and new opportunities. However, one thing we don’t automatically leave behind is the past. I distinctly remember about a week into my fourth grade year my mom came into my room as I was getting ready for bed to say goodnight. I was hunched down wearing my pajamas crying on the floor next to my bed. When she asked why I was so upset I told her it was because this school year just isn’t like the last. All she could do was laugh. “Kiera, you also said this last year." At that point I realized that I had completely forgotten because I had enjoyed myself so much.
Oftentimes, we become distressed with change and discomfort. We may think everything needs to go the way we planned, but where would the fun of life be in that? Forgive yourself for not having everything figured out, for feeling discomfort, for making mistakes. Lean on God in times of trial.
Maybe a friendship ended last year. Maybe someone hurt you or said something you still think about. Maybe you hurt someone yourself.
Jesus wasn’t telling Peter to keep a scoreboard of how many times he has forgiven. He is teaching us that forgiveness shouldn’t have a limit. And that is something we can all carry into this new school year. As we begin this year, let’s remember that God gives us second chances every day. So whatever happened last year, leave room for something new. Forgive someone. Forgive yourself. And walk into this school year carrying a little less than you did when you left the last one.
Because sometimes, the best way to begin again is simply to let go. Thank you, Friars, may God bless you, let’s have a great year!
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